29 Oct 2013 03:51:00
-Howard for anyone
-Utley, JMJ, Martin, Fransden for Sogard, Anderson
-Papelbon for Castellanos, Iglesias
-Lee for Cechini, Bradley jr, Webster
-Brown, Ruf for Hellickson, Archer
Sign Loney


Cole
Hellickson
Anderson
Gonzalez
Cloyd

Bastardo
Adams
De Fratus
Amount
Diekman
Kendrick

Chooch C
Loney 1B
Sogard 2B
J-Roll/Galvis/Iglesias SS
Castelanos/Asche 3B
Cecchini RF
Revere CF
Bradley JR LF

1.) 29 Oct 2013
I'm with you on this as I proposed the Boston and Tampa trades here recently, but with that, the lefty heavy lineup would be a burden. Though I like Revere, his weak arm and lack of power is concerning. Phils will have to throw in Pettibone, Morgan, or possibly two marginal arms to get Tampa to bite on that.
A diamond in the rough is Trayce Thompson (right-handed) in the ChiSox system for center. Terrific defense and though he needs to cut down on strikeouts, he's projected to hit in the 250-260 range with 25-30hrs, with a higher ceiling. If they could take Asche for that, I'd do it and try to hook Daniel Webb for the bullpen. Cut Thompson loose in center and NOT to Loney, put Franco as first base, he could doit, he apparently has great instincts.
NO to Cloyd, he's gone anyway, Why would you not have Archer and Webster in your starting 5? Ridiculous. Webster is going to be a gem, give him the ball every 5th day!
And for Paps, Castellanos and Rondon, we need bullpen help not infield!
Starters: Hamels, Hellickson, Alfredo Gonzalez, Archer, Webster
1b- Franco, 2b- Utley, SS - Rollins/Galvis, 3b-Castellanos, C - Ruiz/Kratz, OF - Cecchini, Thompson, Bradley Jr. Bench - Revere, C. Hernandez, Fransden, Rollins/Galvis, Rupp/Joseph. Bullpen - Ethan Martine (he's not a starter, move him to the pen), Daniel Webb, Bruce Rondon, Jake Diekman, Justin DeFrautus, Bastardo/Rosenburg, Aumont. Potentially nasty bullpen that could bring it. Ride this out for a year, then see where you could fill in whoever isn't working out with free-agency. Young, controlled, future force to be reckoned with, and nearly everyone has their best years ahead of them with ridiculously high upside!

2.) 29 Oct 2013
The Rays will not trade Archer.

3.) 29 Oct 2013
No way the Tigers make that trade

4.) 29 Oct 2013
Cloyd was claimed off waivers by the Indians

5.) 29 Oct 2013
Good luck finding a home for Howard, I don't see anyone wanting him, no matter how much salary the Phillies take. I don't see the Red Sox trading away Bradley Jr. because Ellsbury will probably leave in free agency. The Tigers may need a closer, but I see them signing one rather trade valuable prospects away. I don't think the Rays would trade two pitchers way for Brown and Ruf, maybe a few minor leaguers, but not two good major leaguers. Another way the Phillies can solve their problems is to just Fire Amaro, he got them in this mess and he is not paying for it and he must.

6.) 29 Oct 2013
Okay - so my proposals aren't very popular, but I do think it needs to be torn down. the can cannot be kicked down the road by buying into this free agent class and thinking the Phils are competing in 2014. I like Lee, but I think he needs to be shipped out and part of his salary covered to return some players that make the future bright. Thoughts?

7.) 29 Oct 2013
Send Lee and $12 million to LA Angels for Trumbo, Randal Grichuk, Mark Sappington, and R. J. Alvarez

8.) 29 Oct 2013
Because Tampa is going to lose Price, they really wouldn't be inclinded to trade Hellickson nor Archer.

9.) 29 Oct 2013
Agreed, but the Phillies blew their chance when they resigned Utley, committing themselves to a bunch of aging players. Doubtful they can find anyone who would take Howard right now (re-visit it if he plays and gets hot in '14). Because he is a starting pitcher, Lee could be traded, but it would take the perfect match with a team willing to pick up at least some of his huge contract. unlikely. Then there is Jimmy Rollins, who is also showing his age.
About the only thing Philly can do is weather the storm and hope to find some one to take any of these aging players off their hands

10.) 29 Oct 2013
Why only send 12 million to the Angels. I'd say about half of his remaining salary should go the other way. Also it would take more to land Lee.

11.) 29 Oct 2013
Trumbo and a bunch of lottery tickets for Lee, heck no! Might as well just hang on to Ruf, his bat has just as much potential. Phils should get a way bigger haul for Lee than that. And if you think Lee is expensive, look at Lincecum and he is nowhere in the same class as Lee. Used to be, but not anymore!

12.) 30 Oct 2013
The most baffling question for the Phillies is how is Ruben Amaro still the GM? He should've been let go, he made the trades that sent the currently much needed prospects away.